The House of Echoes
1. Fifteen Years of “Always” Mark Hastings had never believed in fairy-tale endings—he was far too pragmatic. At 38, he’d built a steady career in architectural design, priding himself on […]
1. Fifteen Years of “Always” Mark Hastings had never believed in fairy-tale endings—he was far too pragmatic. At 38, he’d built a steady career in architectural design, priding himself on […]
1. Forty Years, Forty Seats I’d never felt less celebratory in my life. Turning forty usually felt like crossing a milestone—an excuse for sparkling wine, chic dresses, and raucous toasts. […]
The Perfect Marriage—and the First Doubts 1. Our Picture‑Perfect LifeWhen I met Luke, I thought I’d found my soulmate. It was at a mutual friend’s rooftop party in Lincoln Park: […]
A Day That Changed Everything It was a Saturday in late November, the kind of day edged with winter’s chill but gilded by the excitement of the holiday season. I’d […]
1. Brooklyn Beginnings I once thought I was lucky. In my early thirties, I had a good job at an established Brooklyn firm—project manager with a steady paycheck. My son […]
1. A Canvas of Cracked Dreams My hands shook as I set the clear plastic stick down on the edge of the porcelain sink. Five years of unspoken hope and […]
Prologue – Cedar, Coffee, and Quiet Houses The front door’s brass knob felt cool beneath my trembling fingers as I stepped into a silence I knew all too well. The […]
Prologue – A Lobby Scented with Betrayal The resort’s sliding glass doors whispered open, and a wave of chilled air swept across the polished marble floor—tinged with sunscreen, chlorine, and […]